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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 5, 2015)
8 area news february5 2015 Feral Cat Project Helps Over 350 Animals The Feral Cat Project is another example of how one person can make a difference. Kim Tierney recognized that following the flood of 2007 Vernonia had developed a feral cat problem. In July of 2013 she decided to do something about it. Tierney began encouraging local citizens to use live traps and capture feral cats in and around their neighborhoods. Tierney then transports the cats to Portland where she works and drops them off at the Feral Cat Coalition where the cats are spayed and neutered and receive shots and other needed health care. The cats are then returned to the neighborhoods where they came from, but now unable to reproduce and increase the local feral cat problem. In eighteen months Tierney has now helped spay and neuter 358 local feral cats. Tierney says she has not been working alone. “We’ve had a lot of care givers who have been doing their part to help out,” says Tierney. “ We’ve also had people who have fostered and socialized kittens until we could find permanent homes for them. This really has been a community effort.” Tierney specifically mentioned Cindy Ball, Alexis Posley, Colleen Posley, Shyanne Carlyle and Romona Carlyle as having given a lot of time and support to the program. Tierney also noted that the project is not just about getting the cats fixed, it’s about the additional medical care they receive, which is often ongoing and can be expensive. She said Michal Smith, owner of Creatures Pet Store, has been a huge contributor to the My Fair Lady Pageant Seeks Nominations for 2015 Court Columbia River People’s Utility District (PUD) and the Columbia County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) are seeking nominations for the 2015 My Fair Lady Court. The My Fair Lady Pageant is held during the Columbia County Fair each year to recognize senior women for their outstanding volunteer service in our community. The court includes representatives from St. Helens, Scappoose, Rainier, Clatskanie and Vernonia and surrounding areas. The members of the court participate in local volunteer recognition events and community parades and festivals throughout the year, and serve as ambassadors for the RSVP program. Nominees must be at least 55 years old but do not need to be a member of their local senior center. To nominate someone for the court, you may download an application from the Columbia River PUD website, or contact the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at (503) 397-5655 or cadem@crfr.com to request that one be mailed or emailed to you. The deadline for nominations is April 3, 2015. success of the project and the ongoing medical care and rehoming of the cats they have helped. Tierney says she recently received a donation from a local resident to help defray the ongoing medical supplies, and says she will be starting fund at Wauna Federal Credit Union so others can make donations to help the project continue their work “Once fixed the cats get healthier as a result of the medical care they have received,” said Tierney. “They get friendlier. It’s exciting to see it happen. It’s made a big difference.” If you would like help with feral cats in your neighborhood you can contact Kim Tierney at 503-429- 0720. Donations to the Vernonia Feral Cat Project can be made at Creatures Pet Store or at Wauna Federal Credit Union. South Columbia County Chamber Hosts “Celebration Of Excellence” Save the date for “Celebration of Excellence & Annual Meeting” February 26 th at the The St. Helens Armory Event Center. This fundraiser has become more than just an awards banquet, it has become a community event. This year a total of six awards will be given out with a new category for Distinguished Youth. We need your help with nominations for the awards, sponsoring and/or attending the event. For more information, go to www.sccchamber.org. SCCC, local nonprofit, is the foundation of our Meet New Library Director Shannon Romtvedt library work a career,” says Romtvedt. She enrolled in the University of North Texas and earned a Master’s Degree in Library Science in 2007. Shannon says Brady had intended to pursue a Ph.D. and become a college professor but instead de- cided he wanted to return to Oregon. With Master’s Degrees in hand, the Romtvedts came home to Salem. “We chose Oregon,” says Romtvedt. “We saw Texas and had a great time touring the southwest while we were there, but we knew Oregon was our home.” After working at the Salem Public Library, Romtvedt was offered a position at the Forest Grove Library in 2008. Meanwhile Brady switched gears and became a brewer at the McMenamins’ Cornelius Pass Roadhouse. After living in apartments in Beaverton, the Romtvedts began looking for a place to settle down. They had ridden the Banks-Vernonia Trail and found rural Vernonia in 2010, which felt right. “We thought, ‘Yes, this is our home,’” says Romtvedt. “We definite- ly chose to live in Vernonia.” Romtvedt continued to work in the Washing- ton County Library system, both at the Forest Grove Library and filling in at the Hillsboro Public Library. The Romtvedts welcomed son Jack to the family in March of 2013. Shannon began volunteer- ing at the Vernonia Library, organizing and leading the monthly “Baby and Toddler Time” program. Rom- tvedt says Jack loves coming to this library and talks about, “books, movies and chairs.” Romtvedt says working at her local library has several benefits, one of which is that Jack and Brady can often drop by to say hello. With just over a month at her new position, (she started in mid-December) Romtvedt says she is spend- ing most of her time learning the system, getting fa- miliar with the city administration, and meeting library customers. “Starting a new job is always a challenge,” says Romtvedt. “I’ve had a really warm welcome from the staff and from our patrons.” Romtvedt says she is excited about her new position and getting to know the patrons and what they are looking for from their library. “What I really en- joy about working in the library is that the books and the materials are the basics, but what a library is re- ally meant to do is fit the needs of the community,” explains Romtvedt. “I’m really looking forward to working with local businesses and community groups to collaborate on programs and just hearing the ideas community connecting the business community to other community partners such as nonprofits, education, business development and tourism. SCCC is in the business of helping other businesses to create prosperity for our members and enhance the business climate in South Columbia County. Do you have any questions? Would like to register for the event? If so, please contact Natasha Parvey at mgr@sccchamber.org or 503-397- 0685. continued from front page of people in the community about what they want to see happening at their library. There are so many great ideas out there.” Romtvedt says she is also interested in exploring ways to work jointly with the School Dis- trict to offer programming for children and youth. Romtvedt says she had her first meetings with the Vernonia Library Board and with the Friends of the Library and received a warm welcome from both groups. “They are super supportive and a great resource,” says Romtvedt. “The library needs our Friends. A lot of our programs, our new materials and services like our OMSI pass are funded by the Friends of the Library. I love the Friends!” Romtvedt also says she is looking forward to communicating with the community about the library on a regular basis with a monthly column, ‘On the Shelves’ in Vernonia’s Voice, as well as a regular calen- dar feature called ‘What’s Happening at the Vernonia Library.’ “With a background in writing and literature I enjoy the opportunity to write and it’s fun to contribute. It’s great having programs but people need to know that we’re having programs.” Vernonia’s Voice is pleased to welcome our new Library Director Shannon Romtvedt. Insurance sending you in the wrong direction? Let us send you in the right direction. Need more room? See us for the lowest prices GUARANTEED! Debit/Credit now accepted 5x10 $39 10x10 $69 10x20 $99 RV Storage $149 Outside storage available Totally fenced and gated Padlocks Available Authorized U-Haul Dealer Boxes and Supplies Available We can make your reservation Pick up here or anywhere 58605 Nehalem Hwy South • P.O. 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